Trump’s H-1B Fee: Won’t Impact Existing Visa Holders
- A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas goes into effect September 22, 2024, but will not apply to existing H-1B visa holders re-entering the United States, according to...
- On September 20,2024,President Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas.This fee is to be paid by the H-1B visa holder or their...
- The wording of the executive order initially led to concerns among immigration lawyers that the fee would be promptly applicable to all H-1B holders, including those already legally...
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New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Takes Effect, But Existing Holders Are Safe-For Now
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A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas goes into effect September 22, 2024, but will not apply to existing H-1B visa holders re-entering the United States, according to a White House official. The policy change, stemming from a recent executive order, initially caused confusion adn prompted urgent travel advice for those already in the country.
Published: September 21,2024,03:44:20 AM PDT
What Happened?
On September 20,2024,President Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas.This fee is to be paid by the H-1B visa holder or their sponsoring employer. the order was intended to disincentivize companies from relying on foreign workers and prioritize american jobs.
The wording of the executive order initially led to concerns among immigration lawyers that the fee would be promptly applicable to all H-1B holders, including those already legally residing and working in the U.S. This sparked a rush to return to the country before the fee took effect on September 22, 2024.
Clarification and Current Status
A White House official clarified to Axios that the $100,000 fee will not be applied to existing H-1B holders when re-entering the U.S. This clarification alleviated immediate concerns for those already in the country on valid H-1B visas.
“But have been trampled on by abuses of the system,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement. This suggests the administration views the fee as a corrective measure against perceived exploitation of the H-1B program.
Who is Affected?
The new fee primarily impacts:
- Companies sponsoring H-1B visas: Large technology companies like Microsoft and Amazon, as well as outsourcing firms, will bear the brunt of the financial burden.
- New H-1B applicants: Individuals applying for new H-1B visas will face a significantly higher cost.
- The U.S. Tech Industry: The fee could perhaps slow down the hiring of skilled foreign workers, impacting innovation and growth.
According to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in fiscal year 2023, 70,647 H-1B petitions were selected out of a total of 780,881 submissions. This demonstrates the high demand for these visas.